Spring Break
Democrats caucus in close contest
Charlie McRae
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: NEWS
As the sun set Tuesday evening, Texas voters took to the polls.
One would have thought it was a rock concert or some celebrity had made a surprise appearance, but no; the line that stretched around the corner of the First Baptist Church on 1100 Malone St. was a line of registered Democrats.
At least 500 people braved the cold as they stood in line to caucus Tuesday. The caucus could not begin until the last person voted, and at least 50 people were still in line to vote when the polls closed at 7 p.m. The caucusing began around 8 p.m., and the crowd was so large that people were divided into their precincts outside of the church instead of being let inside. The neat organized line of Democrats suddenly dissipated as people scrambled to find their precincts, which were designated by white cardboard signs people held up with the numbers scribbled on them.
"I haven't seen a line like this in 30 years," said Chuck Norton, a Barack Obama supporter and NT visual arts model. "I've been voting in Texas since 1980, and I've never seen a turnout like this."
Norton said the crowds were huge in comparison to those of 2004, mostly because the Democratic nominee was already decided before Texas got to caucus.
"Obama will win the nomination and will win the presidency," Norton said. "If Obama is our nominee, we will beat McCain."
A total for the number of people who voted was posted on the door, updated last at 5:30 p.m., and stated 1,085 people had cast a ballot.
Heather and Jason Esteves, along with 3-year-old daughter Aurora, all Obama supporters, waited in line to sign the caucus sheet in precinct 408.
"He's been positive and inspiring," Heather said.
Curt Smith, a Houston sophomore, stood holding a Hillary Clinton sign above his head in the line for precinct 415. Signs and memorabilia were allowed within 100 feet of the caucus voting area, in stark contrast with the rules of primary voting.
"She seems like she'd support the United States better than any candidate that I've seen," Smith said.
On the other side of the building, NT alumnus Donald Norman-Cox waited in the crowd for precinct 405 to sign his name for Obama.
"It's not a question of what I think his qualifications are; the reason I'm voting for him is because of my father, and my fathers' father and all the fathers before them have been waiting for this moment, and it's up to me to deliver," Norman-Cox said. "I'm a believer."
As the night wore on, the crowds thinned only slightly. Several people still remained for the caucusing process, which is more than just the signing of ones' name.
At one point, one volunteer said the caucus sheets ran out and they had to use a different kind.
"They could sign in on a sheet of paper if they wanted to," he said.
One would have thought it was a rock concert or some celebrity had made a surprise appearance, but no; the line that stretched around the corner of the First Baptist Church on 1100 Malone St. was a line of registered Democrats.
At least 500 people braved the cold as they stood in line to caucus Tuesday. The caucus could not begin until the last person voted, and at least 50 people were still in line to vote when the polls closed at 7 p.m. The caucusing began around 8 p.m., and the crowd was so large that people were divided into their precincts outside of the church instead of being let inside. The neat organized line of Democrats suddenly dissipated as people scrambled to find their precincts, which were designated by white cardboard signs people held up with the numbers scribbled on them.
"I haven't seen a line like this in 30 years," said Chuck Norton, a Barack Obama supporter and NT visual arts model. "I've been voting in Texas since 1980, and I've never seen a turnout like this."
Norton said the crowds were huge in comparison to those of 2004, mostly because the Democratic nominee was already decided before Texas got to caucus.
"Obama will win the nomination and will win the presidency," Norton said. "If Obama is our nominee, we will beat McCain."
A total for the number of people who voted was posted on the door, updated last at 5:30 p.m., and stated 1,085 people had cast a ballot.
Heather and Jason Esteves, along with 3-year-old daughter Aurora, all Obama supporters, waited in line to sign the caucus sheet in precinct 408.
"He's been positive and inspiring," Heather said.
Curt Smith, a Houston sophomore, stood holding a Hillary Clinton sign above his head in the line for precinct 415. Signs and memorabilia were allowed within 100 feet of the caucus voting area, in stark contrast with the rules of primary voting.
"She seems like she'd support the United States better than any candidate that I've seen," Smith said.
On the other side of the building, NT alumnus Donald Norman-Cox waited in the crowd for precinct 405 to sign his name for Obama.
"It's not a question of what I think his qualifications are; the reason I'm voting for him is because of my father, and my fathers' father and all the fathers before them have been waiting for this moment, and it's up to me to deliver," Norman-Cox said. "I'm a believer."
As the night wore on, the crowds thinned only slightly. Several people still remained for the caucusing process, which is more than just the signing of ones' name.
At one point, one volunteer said the caucus sheets ran out and they had to use a different kind.
"They could sign in on a sheet of paper if they wanted to," he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Charlie McRae, writer/photographer for this article.
posted 3/05/08 @ 12:02 PM CST
Corrections: Second paragraph, "One would have though it was a rock concert ." Though should be changed to thought.
Fifth paragraph, "Norton said the crowds were tiny in comparison to those of 2004. (Continued…)
Charlie McRae
posted 3/05/08 @ 12:18 PM CST
also: photos coming soon, I hope.
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